James Eccles, 1840-13/8/1872.

Invercargill Cemetery.

The result of the inquest held on the body of Mr James Eccles, at the Mataura Bridge, referred to in our last issue, went to show that the deceased had been rendered unconscious from injuries received by his horse falling in a swamp and rolling upon him, and that death ensued in consequence of the subsequent exposure in the severe weather, the snow lying to a considerable depth on the ground at the time.   -Southland Times, 10/9/1872.

Mataura.

Received after last publication. (From our own correspondent.) 

September 6. A very sad occurrence took place here the time of the last heavy fall of snow. A Mr James Eccles, who has lived as cadet with Campbell Bros., Toi Tois, for the last nine years, left that place on Sunday, 11th August, with a pack-horse, riding another, arriving at Mataura Bridge on Tuesday the 13th, from which place he left at 2 p.m., intending to make Davis' old station, Hokanui, en route to Mr Archd. Campbells, about twelve miles further on. The day was a most severe one, and he missed his way, got thrown off his horse in a swamp or snowdrift, and was found perished. Strange he was not missed till Tuesday, the 3rd inst., when Constable Purdue, of this station, in company with Mr J. Campbell, of Toi Tois, went in search, and found the body on a small rise, and only barely half a mile from where it is supposed he was making, for on Tuesday, 13th August, three weeks previously (Mr McDonalds). The body was conveyed to Mr Cameron's Hotel, Mataura Bridge, when an inquest was held on the 5th, and a verdict returned — "Death from cold and exposure." His friends have told me he could not be induced to wear flannel shirts or drawers. He was very lightly clad, which no doubt accelerated his death, although I may say the night was the most severe during the storm. His remains were taken to Invercargill to-day for interment. He was a native of Scotland, from near Glasgow. He was much respected, and his loss is keenly felt by those who were acquainted with him.  -Bruce Herald, 18/9/1872.